Challenge: Google Guitar
In loving memory of Les Paul, Google has turned their logo on the homepage into a guitar. Not only that, but you can record and send out a link to listen to your recording.
Here’s a challenge for all you guitar players… Record some licks on the Google homepage and let’s see who can create the best guitar solo.
Post your URL as a comment to this blog for everyone to hear.
Albums of 2010
It’s that time of year for everyone to start compiling the list of their favorite albums of the year. This post however lists the albums that I purchased through the year. They are in alphabetical order:
The Album Leaf “A Chorus of Storytellers”
Arcade Fire “The Suburbs”
Band of Horses “Infinite Arms”
Beach House “Teen Dream”
The Bird and The Bee “Interpreting the Masters, Vol. 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall & John Oates”
The Black Keys “Brothers”
Brian Wilson “Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin”
Broken Bells “Broken Bells”
Broken Social Scene “Forgiveness Rock Record”
Corrine Bailey Rae “The Sea”
The Dead Weather “Sea of Cowards”
Deftones “Diamond Eyes”
Efterklang “Magic Chairs”
Jakob Dylan “Women and Country”
Jenny and Johnny “I’m Having Fun Now”
John Legend and The Roots “Wake Up”
Johnny Cash “American VI: Ain’t No Grave”
Kings of Leon “Come Around Sundown”
Mavis Staples “You Are Not Alone”
Menomena “Mines”
MGMT “Congratulations”
Mumford and Sons “Sigh No More”
The National “High Violet”
The New Pornographers “Together”
Patty Griffin “Downtown Dream”
Philip Selway “Familial”
Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs “God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise”
The Roots “How I Got Over”
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings “I Learned the Hard Way”
Spoon “Transference”
Sufjan Stevens “The Age of Adz”
Featured Musician: Sam Fisher
Musician:Sam Fisher
Website: http://samsongs.com
Twitter: SamFisherJr.
Life is Music: Tell us about yourself.
Sam Fisher: I’m a second generation musician to a horn player and gospel singer. I’ve been involved in music in some form or another for most of my life. I’m currently living in Durham NC with my wife Natasha and my daughter Emma (5). We are expecting our second
daughter Addison this month. I am one of the worship leaders at The Summit Church
here in RDU. During the week, I work for Yep Roc Music Group and independent
record label.
LiM:When did you first get involved in the music industry? How are you currently involved in the music industry?
SF:My first instrument was the saxophone back when I was 10 years old. From there
I learn some piano, finally settling on the guitar in college. I began touring in 1994
while still in college releasing my first record in 1995. Since that time, I’ve released
eight other records selling over 30,000 units worldwide. Ive got a collaboration with a
trip hop group (fleau pronounced “flow”) that I’ll be releasing late fall. A fourth Sam
Fisher album is in the very early stages of development and could be release mid 2011.
I’ve also begun the transition to “the other side of the desk” by founding a label
administration and event production company called Lucas Gambit. We’ll provide
assistance to newly formed labels in the areas of accounting, distribution and project
management. Lucas Gambit’s event company specializes in concert and festival
production that provides turn-key solutions for companies looking to produce music
events. We’ve also spun off a non-profit organization called Remix 919 that provides
financial assistance for music instruction (lessons, instruments, etc) for under-privileged
youth in RDU.
LiM: What instruments do you play? List your gear.
SF:I play electric and acoustic guitar and bass guitar. I’ve got a pretty basic electric rig
because Im a bit of a minimalist believing that great tone begins and ends with the guitar
and the amp. Ive got a vintage American Fender Mustang that’s been modified with
humbucker pickups in the neck and bridge. My second electric is a Fender Stratocaster
reissue. I play through Rivera Chubster 40 tube amp. For pedals I have an OCD
overdrive, Deluxe Memory Boy, a modified Russian Big Muff and a Robert Keely Boss
Blues driver.
LiM: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
SF: Growing up I listen to all of the R&B greats, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin
Gaye, Bill Withers as well as gospel legends Larnelle Harris and Commissioned. Of
the current generation of artists, I’m all over the map drawing inspiration from Israel
Houghton, Switchfoot, Phil Wickham, and Fred Hammond. On the mainstream side,
I lean more adult alternative pop (Rob Thomas, John Mayer, Seal) and R&B crossover
(John Legend, D’Angelo).
LiM: You have just recorded a new album entitled “From Age to Age”. Can you give us
some insight into the concept of this album?
SF: “From Age to Age” is inspired by Psalm 145:3-7 that basically proclaims that the Lord
is great and is to be praised from generation to generation. As a father and a Christian,
I personally believe that I am called to declare God’s greatness to the next generation,
my children included. Knowing that my career is in its later years, I want to take every
opportunity to proclaim the glory of God including my music.
On a personal note, the album almost chronicles my surrender to God and the Jesus’
call to “deny myself and follow Him”. The songs follow the path of the call, revelation
and complete surrender to this call. After spending the better part of my 15 year career
releasing music that glorified me, Im announcing to this generation and the generations to
follow that I live, breathe and sing to glorify the risen savior Jesus Christ.
LiM: Where did you record this album and who helped with creating the album?
SF: I reached out to an old, dear friend of mine Dan Hannon who is best known for his work
with Manchester Orchestra (Columbia) and Aaron Shust (Brash). He and I go way
back to our touring days, so when I called and explained the vision of the album and the
church he didn’t hesitate to helm the project and produce it.
I leaned heavily on another great friend and songwriter Jonathan Welch who is the Multi-
Site Worship Director at Summit. Welch is a multi-instrumentalist who just so happens
to have a Masters of Divinity so he brought a great deal to the table in crafting these
tunes. We also co-wrote a tune with Centricity artist Matt Papa who recently joined
Summit as a worship leader.
LiM: I’m always intrigued by the musician’s choice for the first track of an
album. Why did you choose to start this album with “Taking Up My Cross”?
SF: I wanted the disc to mirror my journey to complete surrender to God. The opening line
of the song says: “when You call, You bid me come and die that I might find true life
only in you”. “Taking Up My Cross” is my declaration that Im all in. The album is
basically bookended by Taking Up My Cross and another tune “All I Seek” in which
the last words the listener will hear me sing are: “my one desire: to dwell in Your house
forevermore”.
LiM: This album is being released under Summit Worship. Tell us about Summit Worship
and how you came to the decision to release the album under Summit Worship.
SF: Summit Worship’s vision is to raise up a new crop of worship leaders and songwriters
who contribute expositional worship music that engages culture. We want to faithfully
speak the truth while keeping the songs congregational. Summit has a wealth of talented
singer-songwriters and worship leaders who basically didn’t have a platform to release
music. My prayer is that this record will be the catalyst for building that platform as all
of the proceeds will fund future projects and artist development at Summit.
LiM: Is there a tour planned to promote this album? If someone would like to book you for
an event, who should they contact?
SF: There are conversations taking place concerning a tour but they are in the early stages. If they would like to book me, they can contact: booking@lucasgambit.com.
LiM: It’s fun to learn what other musicians are listening to. What are the last 5 albums
that you’ve purchased?
SF: Hmmm…let’s see. In no particular order:
Jesus Culture-”We Cry Out”
Switchfoot-”Hello Hurricane”
30 Seconds to Mars-”This is War”
The Raconteurs-”Consoler of the Lonely”
Incognito-”Tales from the Beach”
Big thanks to Sam for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer these questions. If you live in the RDU area, you should make your way to The Summit Church on Friday Sept. 17th for the release show of “From Age to Age”. Click Here for more information.
The Original Diva
I confess, I was watching VH1 last night. They were displaying the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”. The list was chosen based off votes from around 200 musicians and “music experts”. We got to the Top 30 and at number 27 was the original diva, Aretha Franklin. I sat there and listened to the segment on Aretha and thought to myself, “Why don’t I own ANY of her music?” This morning it hit me that I needed to get some. What to get? I looked on a wiki page to see her discography only to be intimidated by the catalog. So I just decided to pick something. I chose “Aretha Franklin: Live at The Fillmore West”. I hit the jackpot! For a music lover, who just randomly picked an album, this is like winning the lottery. This is one of the best albums I have listened to.
The album kicks off with an introduction and then the band takes no time in getting it started. The first song of the set is “Respect” at about (no joke) 50bpm faster than the radio version. The event then transitions to a version of “Love The One You’re With” followed by “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. The show picks back up with “Eleanor Rigby” and it’s amazing. Later in the show Aretha does a reprise of “Spirit in the Dark’ with the one and only, Ray Charles.
This is a must have album. Check it out, then get it!
Aretha Franklin: Live at Fillmore West – iTunes
Aretha Franklin: Live at Fillmore West – Amazon MP3
Track List:
1. Respect
2. Love The One You’re With
3. Bridge Over Troubled Water
4. Eleanor Rigsby
5. Make It With You
6. Don’t Play That Song
7. Dr. Feelgood
8. Spirit In the Dark
9. Spirit In the Dark (Reprise with Ray Charles)
10. Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)
Upcoming Album Releases
There are several albums being released this Fall that everyone should be excited about.
1. “Wake Up” John Legend and The Roots 9/21/10
“Hard Times”
2. “Come Around Sundown” Kings of Leon 10/19/10
“Radioactive”
What other albums are you looking forward to?
